Showing posts with label Ryan Ferguson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Ferguson. Show all posts
Monday, February 2, 2015
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Ryan Ferguson Is Gifted “The Golden Ticket” to the Super Bowl
Ryan Ferguson was only 19 years-old when he was arrested in Missouri, accused of killing Columbia Tribune sports editor Ken Heiholt.
A man and even a janitor wrongfully placed Ferguson at the scene of the crime.
A year later Ferguson was handed a 40-year sentence and was shipped off to the Jefferson City Correctional Center - a maximum security penitentiary that houses some of the states most violent, dangerous, and most notorious criminals.
After 10 long years of being held in prison for a crime he did not commit, the man and the janitor came forward and admitted they had outright lied about their story of Ferguson and his involvement in the murder of Heiholt.
In November of last year Ferguson was released and named a free man by the courts.
Ferguson is grateful for the support from many citizens who staunchly campaigned for his release. The Free Ryan Ferguson movement garnered tremendous support and his quest for freedom was even featured on 48 Hours (CBS) and CNN.
And while he just celebrated his second Christmas out of jail, he admits the transition from being a prisoner to a citizen has not been an easy one.
However, a popular ticket company is helping him get back in the game, so-to-speak.
Golden Tickets (http://www.goldentickets.com), a national ticket broker based out of Plano, Texas, has awarded him with two tickets to the upcoming Super Bowl on February 1, 2015, in Glendale, Arizona. Ferguson is also being awarded with airfare and hotel accommodations. Golden Tickets just unveiled its annual prize called Get the Golden Ticket and Ferguson is the programs first recipient.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Ryan Ferguson on His first Year of Freedom
Ryan Ferguson, 30, was released from prison in November 2013 after spending nearly a decade behind bars for a murder authorities now say he did not commit
Ferguson moved in with his girlfriend Myka Cain, whom he met when she started writing him letters in prison
A year later, they are still going strong and he credits her with his recovery in the real worldHe has just published Stronger, Faster, Smarter - a fitness guide and memoir of his time in prison He revealed he spent three months in solitary confinement and another four months 'in the hole' with another inmate
Says staying strong and fit 'saved his life' in prison
His lawyer has filed a $100million lawsuit against the state of Missouri for his wrongful conviction
‘I have to be doing something positive. If I’m not moving forward, then what am I doing? I missed my entire 20s in prison. I can’t stand still in life right now. I've already missed enough of it,’ he said.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Ryan Ferguson on His First Year Out of Prison
One year since he was released after serving nearly 10 years in prison for a crime he says he never committed, Ryan Ferguson is doing his best to remain positive.
"I thought when I got out I'd be really happy, you know, I got my freedom back,'' Ferguson told TODAY's Sheinelle Jones on Thursday. "But it's two different worlds, prison and out here, and I've found a lot of struggles."
Since his release, Ferguson has moved from Missouri to Florida to be close with his loved ones and is celebrating the three most important things in his life. Jones asked him if he made a wish on his 30th birthday Oct. 19.
"I have my wish,'' he said. "Family, friends, and freedom. So, the three Fs."
Ferguson's attorney, Kathleen Zellner, has filed a $100 million federal civil rights lawsuit seeking damages against current and former members of the Columbia, Missouri, Police Department and a prosecutor who is now a judge.
While Ferguson now works to raise awareness about his experience with the justice system, the time he spent behind bars is hard to forget. "It really hurts to think about that,'' he said. "You try to avoid it, but it's impossible. I missed out on all my 20s, and there's just no getting away from that."
He also believes his story is just one of thousands involving people who are currently incarcerated because of wrongful convictions.
"I have this opportunity to show people that this isn't just happening to me,'' Ferguson said. "I am not an anomaly. This happens all the time."
Ferguson believes social media, particularly Facebook, played an important role in getting him released from prison by spreading awareness of his conviction. Ironically, he never had never been on Facebook until he was freed from prison.
"It was definitely not the first night I got out,'' he joked.
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Ryan Ferguson's Lawyer Files Civil Rights Suit Seeking $100 Million
COLUMBIA, Mo. A newspaper report says the attorney for a man whose conviction in a Missouri sports editor’s slaying was overturned has filed a civil rights lawsuit in her client’s name.
The Columbia Daily Tribune reports that Kathleen Zellner alleges fabricated evidence in Ryan Ferguson’s case and a lack of a complete police investigation into the 2001 killing of Columbia Daily Tribune sports editor Kent Heitholt, among other things.
The lawsuit is filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. The newspaper reports that the suit asks for actual damages of $75 million and compensatory damages of $25 million.
The Tribune reports that Zellner also demands a jury trial and names a total of 13 defendants, including the City of Columbia, the Columbia Police Department and Boone County.
Monday, February 17, 2014
Ryan Ferguson Getting Ready to Take Photos For His New E-Book…
Ryan Ferguson with a cosmetician at Columbia's Dermistique Face and Body spa. It's both a publicity shot -- and another new experience -- for Ferguson, wrongfully incarcerated for a decade, a Missouri appellate court panel decided last year.
"Getting ready to take photos for my new e-book…and had my first experience of a spray tan!" Ferguson told fans. "Go ahead and make fun. How would you caption this photo?"
(see more at: columbiaheartbeat)
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Two Months Out and Ryan Ferguson Looks Amazing!!
After nearly a decade in prison for a crime he did not commit, Ryan Ferguson looks healthy and happy posing with his father and friend.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Ryan Ferguson Got His Driver’s License!
What does a person do when freed after being wrongly imprisoned for almost a decade? For Ryan Ferguson, the answer has included getting an iPhone, a driver’s license and relaxing in Florida with his girlfriend.
Ferguson, 29, of Columbia, Mo., maintained his innocence while serving a 40-year sentence for the 2001 slaying of a newspaper editor. He was released from prison on Nov. 12 after his 2004 murder conviction was overturned.
Since then, with the help of some friends, he has been documenting his first few weeks of freedom on the Facebook page “Freed Ryan Ferguson.”
Hours after his release, he posed for a photo, smiling with a beer and a steak.
A few days later, a photo was posted of him with his first iPhone and the caption, “How do I flip this phone closed?!” Neither the iPhone nor Facebook were around when Ferguson was put in prison.
On Nov. 19, a photo was posted of Ferguson having drinks with a woman and the caption, “Freedom in Florida with my girl.”
He recently checked off another missed milestone from the list: “Look who got their Driver’s License today!”
A few days later, he was “back in court,” but not a legal court -- this time, he was on a basketball court.
On Nov. 21, he posted a message of “profound thanks” to his supporters all over the world. He wrote that he had been spending time with his family and supporters and had not yet learned the world of Facebook.
“I hope the pictures I have been posting of the behind-the-scenes moments of my life have been unique and exciting,” Ferguson wrote. “They are there for you to see how much you’ve helped accomplish.”
“I am so thankful for all of the supporters, mass media, and everyone on social networks that have helped make this dream come true,” he wrote. “I will continue to thank you with every opportunity I get, in every forum possible. Thanks so much for all of your support, kind words, thoughts, and generous donations.”
“As for now, I’m hitting the road with my dad,” he ended the note, with a photo of himself and his father in a car.
Friday, November 22, 2013
Ryan Ferguson Supporters Hold Benefit in His Honor
Friends, family and supporters of Ryan Ferguson came together at a bar in Columbia to try and raise money for him to get a fresh start in life.
Ryan Ferguson capped off his eighth day of freedom with hugs and cheers from supporters, who held an event called "A New Beginning" in his honor. The goal was to help Ferguson pay for medical expenses and other necessities after his release from prison.
Although some of those present at the NashVegas bar were family members, most were simply supporters who were familiar with his case, which has drawn national attention. Ferguson supporter Kevin Sees said Ferguson has inspired him.
"To be Ryan Ferguson? I can't imagine. The fact that you're wrongfully committed and that someone withheld evidence to get you there is unbelievable." "Anything I've seen of him on TV, he has remained so positive through the whole thing. It's just amazing."
Friday, November 15, 2013
Crowdfunding Campaign to Help Ryan Ferguson Start His New Life
Less than 24 hours after being released from prison, Ryan Ferguson spoke to "CBS This Morning" Wednesday, saying he's looking forward to his new life as a free man.
"It's amazing," he said. "You know, it's quite early in the morning. I haven't really had the opportunity to experience the day yet, but I know as it unfolds there will be new adventures, and it will be incredible, so definitely looking forward to getting into the day."
Ferguson, whose 2005 conviction in the killing of Columbia Daily Tribune sports editor Kent Heitholt was thrown out by an appeals court last week, was released from custody Tuesday night.
His release followed an announcement by the Missouri Attorney General that the office wouldn't re-try the 29-year-old. Ferguson spoke at a press conference hours later, appearing before a throng of media and supporters who clapped and cheered.
Speaking on "CTM," Ferguson said his emotions haven't caught up with him since his release.
When asked what he plans to do now that he's free, Ferguson replied, "I need to get clothes," laughing. "It's really just the basic things...I need to build my life back."
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